The Magnolia Theory

Did PT Anderson invent a new style of storytelling in 1999 when he made the film Magnolia? That might be giving him a little too much credit, but the movie at least exposed a larger audience to this style. Films with "magnolia-style" usually contain multiple storylines either hardly related or related only by a singular big event. They also convey with music and images an existential or postmodern worldview (often accompanied by a lot of sad people.) Such movies include: Magnolia, Amores Perros, Happiness, American Beauty, Crash, 21 Grams... There are a pantload of these now. You know the type: there's no dialogue, One is the Loneliest Number is playing, and someone is crying, but you're not quite sure why until you're shown all of the horrible things surrounding him or her. Despite the depressed characters, the unique perspective still allows you to enjoy the movie. Some are better than others but this style includes some of the best examples of contemporary postmodern art. Yeah that's right I said it. What's cool is you can actually get a good idea of what that is when you watch these movies.

The Saddest Music in the World (2003)

If you're interested in the art of filmmaking you have to check this out. Guy Madden is the best kind of artist- the Canadian kind. This film is set in Winnipeg during the Great Depression and the entire thing is shot on a sound stage complete with trains going past behind 6-foot snow banks. Madden puts scenes together like no one else. Many are a collage of black and white footage with a spot of color or live action combined with video in the background. Imagine actors performing inside of a diorama. The only thing crazier than the set construction is the plot. Not sure if this will be shown at MNITBY, but it is worthy.

Oldboy (2003)

This is one of the most popular Korean films in recent years. It's also one of the most twisted movies I've ever seen. At times it's beautiful. There are impressive fight sequences like you might find in a contemporary Kung Fu movie along with some excellent cinematography showing scenes from modern day Korea. But there is also some serious psychotic behavior. I don't want to give too much away, but a guy gets locked up in a room, like a hotel room. He doesn't know why he has been taken there or when he might be able to leave. Food comes in through a slit in the door and valium gas comes in through the heating vents. Needless to say the guy is a little pissed off when years later he is finally released. If you're not terribly affected by scenes of physical and mental torture do check this out. It's very interesting, but a little too f'ed up for MNITBY.

The Puffy Chair (2005)

Almost every scene in this film contains an awkward conversation. I know that's usually a good thing, but this isn't an Office comedy sort of awkward, it's more of an uncomfortable real sort of awkward. The main character is pretty unlikable too. He plays a good toy piano, but he’s an idiot in almost any other situation. Probably won't be showing this at MNITBY, but it’s a good small budget film. I liked it despite the frustration of following around a dumbass. Written and Directed by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass and starring Mark as the dumbass.

Recent Top 5 (or 6) Lists

That i haven't seen:
Last King of Scotland
Half Nelson
Science of sleep
Little Miss Sunshine
Jet Li's Fearless
The Departed

That i have seen:
Infernal Affairs (japanese movie, departed is a remake of this)
Brick (Film noir set in a high school)
Carnivale (TV show)
Syriana
Saddest Music in the world (Guy Madden is crazy)
Everything Is Illuminated